Before concluding it would be of interest to say a few words about Hindu Calendar. In ancient times the unit of time was the Lunar Day or Tithi and not the Solar day. About 30 tithis made a lunar month and are equivalent to 29.5 solar days. A month was divided into two halves, one starting from the full moon called the bright half (Sukla Paksha) and the other starting from the new moon called the dark half (Krishna Paksha). In Northern India, the month began and ended with the full moon whereas in Tamil Nadu the month began with the new moon.
The year normally contained 12 lunar months, namely, Chaitra (April-May), Vaishakha (May-June), Jyeshtha (June-July), Ashadha(July-August), Shravana(August-September), Bhadrapada (September-October). Ashvina (October-November), Kartika (November-December), Margashirsha (December-January), Pushya (January-February), Magha (February-March), and Phalguna (March-April). Generally, the month began with Chaitra but sometimes Kartika was the first month, and so on.
In the Vedic times, the corresponding months were called as follows: Madhu, Madhava, Shukra, Suchi, Nabhas, Nabhasya, Isha, Urja, Sahas, Sahasya, Tapas, and Tapasya.
The seasons were grouped into two months and called a Ritus and there were 6 Ritus in a year. They were as follows: Vasanta (Spring, March-May), Grishma (Summer, May-July), Varsha (Rainy season, July-September), Sharad (Post rainy season, September November), Hemanta (Season of early dew, November-January), Shishira (Season of late dew, January-March).
The four sons of Dasharatha grew in all splendor learning the Vedas and also the science of archery and warfare. They became great experts in riding horses, elephants and also good charioteers. Rama was the apple of his eye of Dasharatha and everyone loved him. He was also so kind to everyone rich and poor alike. Lakshmana followed Rama everywhere and they were like a single in two different bodies. Shatrughna did likewise with Bharata. As the days went by king Dasharatha started thinking about the marriage of his sons.
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